At a Glance
- Tasks: Support customers in achieving affordable housing and preventing homelessness through effective advice.
- Company: Join a dedicated Income team focused on community support and tenant wellbeing.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and understanding of the benefit system are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This role works within a dedicated Income team to support new and existing customers to achieve and sustain an affordable, healthy and safe home. You’ll be working in partnership with colleagues and key stakeholders to enable tenancies to get off to the best start and prevent homelessness, by delivering effective, consistent and fair access to advice & guidance.
Reporting to the Rent Recovery Manager/Income Team Leader, you’ll be signposting to other specialist services where appropriate and preventing the accrual of debt by completing benefit checks to maximise income.
Key Responsibilities- Support Rent Recovery/Income Team to reduce rent arrears and sustain tenancies.
- Support your team in the delivery of relevant performance indicators.
- Take all appropriate action to maximise income collection from rents, service and other charges.
- Take all appropriate action to mitigate the impact of Welfare Reform on tenants and the business in general. This includes delivering benefit advice, signposting tenants to money advice services and taking action in line with our procedures to maximise income collection.
- Where appropriate, arrange visits to complete benefit reviews or income & expenditure assessments with customers in their homes. This will require you to travel across Somerset to various locations.
- Able to interpret and apply complex benefit legislation to offer benefit checks to tenants with accuracy.
- Utilise grant schemes to support tenants in emergencies and with essential items of furniture, white goods and flooring.
- Ensure systems, processes and procedures are fully utilised to ensure income collection is maximised.
- Deliver a range of proactive services that respond to the needs and aspirations of customers that supports a rent payment culture, financial inclusion strategies and income maximisation.
- Take effective action that addresses performance or service quality failures, challenging decisions and taking ownership of outcomes.
- Work in partnership with a range of stakeholders i.e., internal departments and Somerset Council, to maximise performance, service quality and to support communities and customers.
- Work collaboratively with all other staff teams; specifically, the Housing and Independent Living Service teams, supporting them in their work, and provide cover and guidance as necessary.
- Adhere to good information security.
- Take responsibility for identifying training needs, updating knowledge of changes in legislation, best practice, and other developments.
- Embrace hybrid working according to the needs of the service and customer. This will include the need to work flexibly both remotely and from the office whilst ensuring compliance with health & safety and lone working policy.
- Display and demonstrate behaviours that reflect our Values and put Customers First.
- Contribute and be proactive at 121s, team meetings and your Performance Development Review.
- Successfully meet agreed key performance indicators.
- Develop positive and productive working relationships both internally and externally with relevant colleagues and other stakeholders.
- Confidence in being able to manage own workload.
- Understanding of safeguarding policy and practice.
- Effective and confident communication with all levels of the organisation, colleagues, residents and stakeholders.
- Confident in dealing with challenging behaviours including supporting tenants with various complex vulnerabilities.
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills; both verbal and written.
- The ability to work collaboratively with other teams across the organisation.
- High level of initiative and the ability to innovate.
- A strong commitment to putting Customers First and a can-do attitude.
- High degree of problem-solving skills with a solution focused approach.
- The ability to network and develop strong partnership working.
- Experience of working in a social housing organisation within a similar function would be desirable.
- Have a comprehensive understanding of the benefit system including means-tested and non-means-tested benefits.
Debt & Benefit Advisor in Somerset employer: Homes in Somerset
As a Debt & Benefit Advisor, you will join a dedicated Income team committed to supporting our customers in achieving and maintaining affordable housing. Our organisation fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, while also offering the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. Located in Somerset, we provide a meaningful role where you can make a real difference in the community by helping prevent homelessness and ensuring financial inclusion for our tenants.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Debt & Benefit Advisor in Somerset
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their website and social media to see how they interact with customers and what values they promote. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're a great fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially those related to customer service and problem-solving. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to prepare some questions for your interviewer! This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. Ask about their approach to supporting tenants or how they handle challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
After the interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you on their radar and reinforces your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Debt & Benefit Advisor in Somerset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Debt & Benefit Advisor role. Highlight your experience with income maximisation and your understanding of benefit legislation, as these are key to the job.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be working closely with customers and stakeholders, it's essential to demonstrate your strong communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect this.
Highlight Teamwork Experience:This role involves collaboration with various teams, so share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment. We want to see that you can build positive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Homes in Somerset
✨Know Your Benefits Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the benefit system, especially means-tested and non-means-tested benefits. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've helped clients navigate these systems will show your expertise and commitment to supporting customers.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your effective communication skills during the interview. Think of scenarios where you've successfully communicated complex information to clients or colleagues, especially in challenging situations. This will highlight your ability to manage relationships and support vulnerable tenants.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with different teams in the past. Highlighting your experience in building positive working relationships will show that you're a team player who can contribute to the Income team's success.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging behaviours. Think about past experiences where you've had to take ownership of outcomes or challenge decisions. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and solution-focused mindset.
